Protection

It’s important to protect your property, its contents, as well as your ability to keep up with your mortgage repayments, should the unexpected happen.

Buildings insurance

All lenders require you to fully insure your property for the total cost of rebuilding it. Buildings insurance covers your home, as well as its fixtures and fittings.

Contents insurance

Contents insurance protects your household goods and personal property.

Critical illness insurance

This type of insurance policy pays out a lump sum if you’re unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with a specified critical illness such as cancer, stroke or heart attack. You can use the cash pay out to clear your mortgage, pay for medical treatment or anything else you might choose.

Income protection

This can replace part of your income if you’re unable to work for a long period of time as a result of illness or disability. It will pay out until you return to work, the policy ends or in the event of your death. Income protection plans usually have a waiting period before the benefit becomes payable; the longer the waiting period you choose, the lower your monthly premium will be.

Life insurance

If you die unexpectedly, a life insurance policy will pay out a cash sum to your family. Mortgage protection is a type of term assurance where the amount of cover decreases over the term of the policy, tying in with the outstanding amount on your repayment mortgage.

Mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI)

MPPI helps you keep up your mortgage repayments if you can’t work because of accident or ill-health. Benefits are usually paid for 12 months, although some providers offer 24 months’ cover for accident and sickness only.

Serious illness cover

Serious illness cover pays out a cash lump sum of between 5% and 100% of the total cover, depending on the severity of the illness.